In Partnership with RMR Co. under contract with the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory

Understanding global climate change depends upon quality measurements feeding computer models. Satellite measurements rely on a grid of high-precision measurements from the Earth’s surface. Air-sea flux (heat and water vapor exchange) measurements are both sparse and crucial. The Around the Americas meteorological package sits on top of the mast and is a carefully designed system that will perform all required measurements to completely define the exchange of heat and water vapor between the ocean and atmosphere. Measurements made during the voyage (winds, temperature, humidity, pressure, solar radiation, infrared radiation, and sea temperature) are measured to very high precision.

In Partnership with the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory and Western Washington University

Jellyfish blooms, which are becoming increasingly common in coastal waters, are thought to be a symptom of anthropogenic ocean stress and climate change. Little is currently known about the areal extent of jellyfish populations, and few surveys have been conducted measuring their populations over wide geographic ranges. Visible imaging techniques have been shown to be effective in measuring jellyfish populations, and a survey of jellyfish populations as a function of latitude over an entire ocean basin would help address this issue. This study will use video cameras mounted on the stern of the boat combined with opportunistic tissue sampling and species identification of jellyfish.

University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory

Buoys deployed in the Arctic for the International Arctic Buoy Program measure air pressure and surface temperature. These data are widely used by both weather and ice forecasters.  If the buoys are near other buoys or research stations collecting similar data, the air pressure measurements can be used to estimate wind speed and direction. The location of each buoy over time is tracked by a satellite. Tracking information is used to derive information on ocean currents or ice velocity, depending on where the buoy is deployed. In 2008, data from these instruments were employed to support the introduction of polar bears to the threatened species list.